CONSTRUCTION work is underway at a retail park where a bakery giant is set to entice cake and pastry fans with the opening of a brand new shop.

Sweet treat and sausage roll chain Greggs will be opening a brand new store at Peartree Road Retail Park, Stanway, and it could be ready as soon as this year.

It will be the fourth Greggs to open its door in Colchester but motorists might be left disappointed after discovering plans show the shop will not offer car owners a drive-thru option.

The new shop will sit in a brand new unit on the park which is currently under construction.

Last August the chain announced it would be opening a raft of car friendly bakeries nationwide after its first one in Salford, Manchester, proved to be a hit.

When the chain launches at the Colchester park it will join other retail giants such as Domino’s Pizza, Poundstretcher and the East of England Co-Op.

Jeremy Hagon, Stanway campaigner, said he was pleased to see jobs are being created in the area.

Mr Hagon said: “The important thing for any development which is growing is to offer jobs to the area and those living there.

“With a growing number of homes in Stanway it’s exciting to welcome new opportunities for residents. But supporting infrastructure such as roads, cycle paths and crossings are important too.”

According to its website, Greggs has more than 22,000 employees and has more than 1.850 shops across the UK.

The news comes as a change of use application was submitted to Colchester Council for an existing unit, where Mattressman currently is, at the retail park.

If successful, the bid could allow a restaurant or cafe to trade in the unit. There are suggestions a coffee shop could be moving into the premises but the Gazette has been unable to confirm the reports.